Scotland 2013

Days after arriving back from America in 2013, I got a message from some friends keen for a few days hiking and cycling in Scotland before starting the pressures of third year.

A week later, we were exploring the Fort William area on foot, hopping from bothy to bothy, camping where necessary, and enjoying the surrounding beauty! Spirits were high; an entirely different experience to when the Lake District. Also, a bonus was that we managed to bag a handful of 5 Munros along the way, munros being mountains over 3,000 feet in Scotland. 5 down, 277 to go… Win!

We chased the rare good weather over Scotland and after our hiking trip, ended up headed east, across to the Aberdeenshire coast to stay with friends and enjoy some road cycling. The next few days of cycling, my first taste of long distance road cycling in the countryside confirmed that a long distance bike tour was the plan for the future!

Below are some pictures from the trip.

Made it! Top of a big climb!

Left to right: Sam, me, Russell

The island in the middle Dav and I swam to. How many other people have stood here I wonder?